This paper explores the existing literature on the active detection of crimes using remote sensing technologies. The paper reviews sixty-one studies that use remote sensing to actively detect crime. Considering the serious consequences of misidentifying crimes or sites of crimes (e.g., opening that place and its residents up to potentially needless intrusion, intimidation, surveillance or violence), the authors were surprised to find a lack of rigorous validation of the remote sensing methods utilized in these studies. In some cases, validation was not mentioned, while in others, validation was severely hampered by security issues, rough terrain and weather conditions. The paper also considers the potential hazards of the use of Google Earth to identify crimes and criminals. The paper concludes by considering alternate, “second order” validation techniques that could add vital context and understanding to remotely sensed images in a law enforcement context. With this discussion, the authors seek to initiate a discussion on other potential “second order” validation techniques, as well as on the exponential growth of surveillance in our everyday lives.Keywords:remote sensing;crime;validation;accuracy assessment;Google Earth
Illegal diversification strategies in farming contexts are neglected in research terms. There are endogenous and exogenous factors that influence the potential strategic capability and activity of illegal entrepreneurs and criminal farmers. Internal factors include the personal characteristics of the farmer–qualities and skills. External factors, outside the control of the individual illegal entrepreneur, include the activities and processes undertaken by them, the characteristics of the illegal enterprise, government policies, markets and environmental factors. Using a documentary research methodology of 210 case studies, located on the internet, from across the UK (where farmers had been charged with criminal offences relating to their occupation), the article contributes to the literature on farm diversification and rural crime.
Ya Yang,Suyan Zhai,Chao Liu,Xiaoshu Wang,Yifeng Tu
An ultrasensitive disposable immunosensor based on a gold nanoparticles (AuNPs)/indium tin oxide (ITO) substrate has been constructed to detect ketamine (KET) conveniently. In this study, we obtained a AuNPs/ITO basic electrode by only a two-step ecofriendly drip-coating procedure. The self-assembled monolayers of AuNPs were used as a hetero-bifunctional cross-linker and activator, respectively. Ketamine antibody was used as a biorecognition determinant and immobilized onto the AuNPs/ITO through electrostatic interaction or Au–S or Au–N bonds. The architectures of AuNPs/ITO were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy mainly. Electrochemiluminescence (ECL) was used to monitor the specific immune response between the antigen and antibody by measuring changes of intensity in the process of ECL. When the immune complex was incubated on the electrode, it blocked the electron communication and mass transfer, and the ECL signal was quenched. According to the quenched ECL signal, the quantification of KET can be realized. Under optimal conditions, the immunoassay showed a linear range from 10 to 100 pg/g. The low detection limit is 5.73 pg/g. The sensor has been applied to detect ketamine in human hair successfully. In addition, the immunosensor has excellent selectivity, outstanding reproducibility, and acceptable stability. What’s more, the immunosensor exhibits low-cost, simplicity, small sample consumption, and easy miniaturization, which allows it to be integrated into portable platforms to be utilized on the site of crime easily.